Benue “sponsored” machineries arrested by 93 Battalion soldiers
“The Commander 13 Brigade Brigadier General Ismaila Isa wants to make it abundantly clear that no criminal under any guise would be spared, General Isa thank all patrotic and good people of the state for timely information, support and urge them not to relent in their effort while going about their legitimate business,” 13 Brigade APRO Owolabi said.
The troops of 93 Battalion of the Nigerian Army have arrested nine members of a militia known as Civilian Joint Task Force with five AK-47 riffles.
The 93 Battalion is a formation under the 13 Brigade Nigerian Army, Calabar.
In a statement issued in Calabar by Army Public Relations Officer (APRO) of 13 Brigade, Captain KO Owolabi, the militiamen were said to have been arrested at Arufu, a boundary town between Taraba and Benue states on Tuesday.
Captain Owolabi said in the statement that, “The troops of 93 Battalion of the Nigerian Army deployed in Takum, Taraba state arrested Benue State civilian joint task force in Taraba state area of responsibility. The Nigerian Army troops deployed in Arufu a boundary town between Taraba and Benue State disarmed and arrested nine members of an armed militia known as Civilian Joint Task Force with 5 AK 47.
“Initially on their arrest, reinforcement of CJTF came to prevent our troops from arresting and transporting the suspects to Battalion Headquarters.
“During the preliminary investigation the suspects claimed that the weapons were issued to them by Benue State Government, they also confirmed that they were 60 in number in their own camp which located in Pegie. Additionally, they revealed that the Benue State Government pay them the sum of fifteen thousand naira monthly. They further revealed they were trained by ex service men and assembled from all localities in Benue State.
“The suspects were presently in our custody for further interrogation before handed them over to the police.
“The Commander 13 Brigade Brigadier General Ismaila Isa wants to make it abundantly clear that no criminal under any guise would be spared, General Isa thank all patriotic and good people of the state for timely information, support and urge them not to relent in their effort while going about their legitimate business.”
